First dall sheep success

[jwatts]

I have been home from my first sheep hunt for a few days now. I will say that this was one of the best hunting experiences I’ve ever been a part of. It was physically demanding, it was mentally demanding, but man was it fun. I had been planning and preparing for a few years to make everything was good on my end. There were a few speedbumps along the way, but, in the end, it worked out with a trip into some beautiful country and a tag notched on a 9 year old ram.

I originally booked a hunt with Jake Jefferson. Due to some unfortunate circumstances he had to cancel the hunt. I completely understood, but I still wanted to hunt a sheep in 2019. I was deep into the preparation phase. I already had 2 weeks set aside for a trip and wanted to get out to Alaska while I was ready. I posted on here asking if anyone knew of any cancellation hunts. I was contacted by a member who was uncertain if he was going to be able to make his trip in 2019. Things worked out in my favor, and I was able to assume his hunt with Matt Snyder of Alaska Hunting Adventures.

Along the way I was able to make contact with a few people through this site. I even managed to get in touch with the hunter that was going out the week before me. We talked about our upcoming trips, gear, and general plans. I also talked with @SLDMTN from the page about the possibility of some taxidermy work. It was nice to get in touch with a few guys that were actually on the ground in Alaska. When you’re traveling that far, alone, for that amount of time, it’s good to have a point of contact locally if for nothing else but advice. I also got some great feedback from others on here about meat and trophy care, where to stay, travel tips, etc. I owe a great amount of gratitude the members on Rokslide for their help in this trip. Anyway, on to the trip details.

 

[jwatts]

Travel

I left my house around 1pm central time. I was flying with Alaska Airlines out of New Orleans. We arrived in New Orleans a little after 3pm. My wife helped me get unloaded and she was off. I would typically have left to go to work for 2 weeks on that day. Even though I was already supposed to be gone the same amount of time at the same time, it was different. She was concerned about the lack of communication while I was away. I had an Inreach, so that helped ease her mind a little. We said our goodbyes and I proceeded to check in.

This was my first time to fly with a firearm. Based on past experiences with TSA in New Orleans, I expected the worst. To my surprise it was painless. I declared my gun, checked it, and checked my 2nd bag. I made it through the TSA line in record time and waited for my flight.

The flight was uneventful. Construction in Seattle meant we had to ride a shuttle from the plane to the terminal, but all in all it went good. I arrived in Anchorage around 1245am Alaska time. I gathered my bags, grabbed a shuttle, and headed to the hotel for a few hours of sleep. By the time I got to the hotel I had been traveling about 13 hours and was ready for some shuteye.

I woke up, grabbed some breakfast, and got my rental car. I realized I had left a few things at home so I made a run to Barney’s and Fred Meyer. I also met up with Kyle (SLDMTN) for some coffee and conversation. After that I hit the road bound for Glenallen. I had chosen to get a room at a B&B there in case I ran into any issues that put me behind on travel. I had no such issues, so I was able to take my time on the drive. I took plenty of pictures and even made a few detours to fish a little. The next day it was on to Tok.

 

[jwatts]

Arrival

During my travel I had received a text from Craig, the hunter in the field before me. He had tagged out on a good ram and was back at the outfitter’s place. That got me even more excited. I grabbed a burger at Fast Eddie’s in Tok, then headed back down the highway to Matt’s place.

I was greeted by Matt, Craig, and my guide, Josh Ellis (@adventure907 ). I was able to check out Craig’s ram, which got me even more fired up. I unloaded my gear and we started sorting through it. Matt was very helpful in giving me an idea of what I did and didn’t need. We shot my rifle to verify zero. Then it was off to meet Matt’s folks, Frank and Sue. We talked a while, told some hunting stories, and squared up on getting my tag. We then headed back to Matt’s where Josh helped me nail down what gear would end up in my pack. We packed all of our food and gear into the packs and got them all ready to go for the next day. We grabbed some supper and settled in for the night.

 

[jwatts]

Day 1

Day 1 found us loading the ATV’s, grabbing one last good breakfast, and heading off. We made our way to the area where we would unload. We made a ride to an access point for our first drainage. We glassed a little along the way, but saw nothing but lambs and ewes. We proceeded on a little further, parked, and headed into our first drainage.

This would be my first encounter with thick alders and tundra. It dang sure wouldn’t be my last though. We busted brush until we got a short ways in, then walked the creek up the drainage. We found a good vantage point and glassed a little. We glassed up 4 rams, all sub legal. We packed up and headed out. Time for plan B.

We made a short drive to where we would start to the next drainage. We got our bearing, and Matt left. Josh and I headed out into the woods. We had to be careful and skirt around some ponds. We were in alders and tundra for the remainder of the day. We made it a couple of miles in until we got to the creek. We found a fairly open, flat spot, and set camp for the night. Day 1 ended with a few sheep spotted, but nothing legal. We had a game plan for the next day.

 

[jwatts]

Day 2

After busting through alders all day on day 1, we had options for day 2. We could do the same for about 1.5 miles, or we could walk the creek. I chose to hit the creek. I put my boots in my pack, threw on some glacier socks and my crocs, and we went to walking. I managed to fill the socks up with water at one point, which was, let’s say awakening. That water was freaking cold. We made our way down the creek a little farther until we found a good spot to sit. I got as much water out of the glacier socks as I could. I changed socks and somehow managed to knock my gloves into the creek. With all of that wet gear hanging off of my pack it looked like a clothes line. Anyway, we were back underway.

A little further up the creek we spotted the saddle we wanted to reach. We planned to glass the next basin, which would determine our next move. I changed into my boots and we headed up the saddle. We dropped our packs and Josh immediately spotted 2 rams. He grabbed his spotter and confirmed one was legal. The hunt was on.

We waited until the rams were out of sight and dropped down into the valley below. The valley was full of small cuts, kind of like dried creek beds. We made a plan of attack and got moving. We were able to get close, but not close enough. The wind was all wrong so we watched them all afternoon. They made it to some pretty approachable locations, but the wind was never right. We backed out and set camp for the night. After a much deserved Mountain House we were out.

 

[jwatts]

Day 3

On the third day we ate breakfast and started out for the head of the valley. We were able to locate the rams, but again the wind was all wrong. They’d move, we’d move, but we never could get into position. After a game of cat and mouse most of the day, the rams bedded on the ridge adjacent to the one we came in from. We got comfortable and watched them. Once they got up to feed, they went over the other side. We made our way out, filling our water bladders and bottles along the way. After a short wait we climbed to a saddle above camp and peaked over. The sheep were in that bowl, and feeding away on the other side. There was no good approach, so we let them feed to see what they would do. They hung around in that bowl and bedded up. We slipped back down the hill and to camp.

 

[jwatts]

Day 4

Today we planned to climb to the saddle and run the ridge until we laid eyes on our rams again. We reached the saddle pretty quick, with no sheep in sight. We proceeded down the ridge, glassing into the valley where we camped as well as the bowl on the other side if the ridge. We almost made it to the highest portion of the ridge when we spotted them. They had decided to go across the bowl from the previous night, across the next bowl, and on to the next mountain. We dropped down, got camp, and headed out.

This day was a heck of a hike. We did more vertical gain and loss in one day than in the entirety of most elk hunts I have been on. This hike reinforced the fact that Alaskans have never heard of a switchback. I also learned how to “ski” down a shale slide, which was a pretty cool experience. We crossed the saddle from that morning, crossed the next bowl, and finally crested the next ridge where we stopped to glass a little bit.

While glassing, we found our rams. They were still in the general area where they were feeding earlier in the morning. We also spotted 2 rams a lot closer, bedded on a rock outcrop at the head of the bowl below us. They would never position themselves in the right way for us to make sure if they were legal or not. We studied every move of the rams we came after, but kept an eye on the closer rams. When the closer rams got up and fed below the outcrop and out of sight, we decided it was time to make a move. We made the descent into the bowl and on to where we would camp for the evening. We finally made it down, set up camp, and made a plan for the next day.

The mountain ahead of us was fairly flat up top. It resembled two benches, one above the other. There were several avalanche chutes that ran up to the benches. We picked a chute to attempt the next morning. We were able to relocate one of the closer rams from before. He looked to be broomed, but was too close to call. We decided we would keep after the two rams we had been chasing the past few days.

 

[jwatts]

Day 5

We woke up and debated on whether or not to pack camp. If the rams went up and over, then we would have to drop back and grab camp. After a little discussion we figured it was worth a shot at going up and locating the rams before packing up. We glassed the upper end of the bowl trying to locate the other 2 rams with no luck. We grabbed some breakfast, grabbed our packs, and headed towards the avalanche chute. We made a quick run to the top of the chute and dropped our packs.

As I said before, the top of the mountain had two benches. The rams were last bedded on the lower bench. There were several small cuts leading up to the bench. With our packs off, and only the essentials with us, we headed into those cuts to glass up our rams. We started working through the cuts and didn’t see them where we left them the night before.

We backed up and headed down another cut. Suddenly Josh dropped down. He said the rams were bedded just ahead. When I asked how far he pointed to a rock ledge. I ranged that ledge at 250 yards. Josh grabbed his spotter and crept up for a better view. I ranged a rock behind me at 250 yards, dialed up my scope, and adjusted my side focus. I wanted everything to be ready in case it went down. We ended up having to back out, move a little, and peak back over the edge of the cut to get a good view.

Josh was finally in a position to get a better view. Turns out, these weren’t the ones we had been chasing. They were the rams from the night before. Josh was able to confirm that the broomed ram was borderline. It was too close to call whether or not he had completely broomed his lamb tips. The other ram however was full curl. Now the wait began.

I couldn’t see the rams. I crawled to a good rock ahead of me and got set up in case they got up to feed. About the time I got set up, Josh said they were up and moving. The broomed ram immediately fed up the ledge and was feeding dead broadside to me. I had to make dang sure he wasn’t legal, because it seemed like he wanted to die that day. We just couldn’t make him legal so I waited. The other ram was feeding, but due to a short rock wall in front of me I couldn’t see him. I took that chance to settle my crosshairs on the ram I could see and try to calm my nerves. I would do that, drop my head from the scope, then try to locate the other ram. He was feeding with only the top of his back visible. If I shot, I would shoot the rock wall in front of me. Just my luck.

I decided to creep up a little more. They were feeding, unaware of our presence. The wind was perfect. I made a move and could see more of the sheep. I was still nervous about hitting the rocks in front of me. I finally decided it was time. I grabbed the front of my rifle sling, held it to plant the stock into my shoulder, and leaned up on my elbow. The safety came off, I got propped on my elbow, settled the crosshairs, and the ram dropped. It was a picture perfect situation. He didn’t move. The other ram hung around a little while, then headed off, not quite sure what happened to his running buddy.

Now was time for the work to begin. We texted Matt from our Inreach. He said that he would fly over, see where we were, then find a good extraction point. I took some time to admire the ram. We grabbed some pictures and got everything together to start caping and processing. About the time we got ready, Matt flew over. We walked to the ridge and watched as he flew the river below, then circled a gravel bar in a bend in the river. We had our extraction point. We caped the ram, deboned the meat, and headed down to camp.

Once at camp we got everything packed up. We put down as many groceries as we could to fuel up and avoid carrying them out. With heavy packs, we crossed the creek and started out. Within a pretty short distance we were back into the alder, seeking out moose trails to help us along the way. We found a vantage point and selected a ridge that we would camp on for the night. After a few hours of sinking in tundra and alders snagging my rifle barrel, we made our ridge. We set up camp, enjoyed some fresh blueberries and a Mountain House, and called it a night. I will tell you that I had no issues sleeping that night. Josh decided to cape the head out. He said he didn’t have his knife out good when I was snoring.

 

[jwatts]

Day 6

Extraction day. We slept in today. Once we woke up, we texted Matt to let him know our ETA to the river. After we got up and going, we ate a couple of Rice Krispy Treats, shouldered our packs, and headed to the river. It was more alders and moose trails, but it wasn’t bad overall. We hit what resembled a dry creek bed which made it fairly easy to walk. Finally we made the river. We dropped our packs, ate a little snack, and rested while we waited.

After a little bit of a wait, we heard ATVs. Then we heard the boat. Matt had dragged his inflatable boat to the river on ATVs, launched, then came downriver to pick us up. We ferried our gear (and ourselves) back up the river for the trip out. Frank and Sue met us with congratulations, and BLTs. We ate again, loaded everything up, and headed out. We made a short, interesting ride out to the trucks then we were off to Matt’s place.

The first thing I wanted was a shower. I had been in the same clothes since we left. I was unsure of whether I should wash them or burn them. They were smelling right. After I realized I could wash the funk off of myself I figured I could do the same with my clothes. We started to unpack and wash clothes. We relived the hunt with Matt and celebrated with a cool alcoholic beverage. We then headed over to Frank and Sue’s, where we were greeted with a meal of fresh sheep heart and liver, along with a ton of fresh veggies from their garden. What a perfect way to end the hunt.

 

[jwatts]

Day 7

After a nice, big, warm breakfast we headed into to Tok to have the ram sealed. It was a cool experience. I watched the agent measure and age the ram, and set the plug. We had aged the ram initially at 8 years old, but there was one ring that was questionable. The agent agreed that the ram was indeed 9 years old. When we got to the ram his teeth were in bad shape. He only had one upper tooth on his right side, and it fell out while we were skinning him. He was in similar shape on his lower jaw. He had very little growth in his final year. Once it was sealed we headed back to Matt’s where I processed the meat.

 

[jwatts]

Departure

After I came out of the woods I texted a few folks to tell them I was out and had been successful. A coworker was actually headed into Anchorage and was making a 10 day fishing trip around the Kenai Peninsula. He invited me to join him at his cabin in Soldotna for a few days of fishing. What better way to end an Alaskan adventure?

I got all packed up and ready to go. Josh was getting reloaded and heading back in to try and fill a tag of his own. Had I known I could have made my flight on time I would have gone back in with him. I had just finished my first sheep hunt and was already ready for number 2. I hit the road for Anchorage.

I couldn’t drive through Palmer without stopping and showing off my ram. I ran by Kyle’s place, where he was gracious enough to serve me some tacos and a fresh pot of coffee. We sat around, talked about our hunts, and shot the breeze for a while. It was on to Anchorage to get the meat in a freezer and get some sleep.

The remainder of the trip was just as eventful. I dropped my horns and cape with a taxidermist. I made my way to Soldotna, driving through a wildfire on the way. We caught some salmon. I casted my fly rod til my arm hurt. I did some hiking. I did some souvenir shopping. I also hit a few of my favorite spots to eat around town, and hit every coffee shop I drove past.

It was a great trip home. I had enough airline miles to get home on first class. We enjoyed mimosas at 4:30 am. I read, listened to podcasts, and generally reflected on the trip. It started as a dream, as a once in a lifetime trip. By the end my dream had come true. I traveled as far away from home as I could imagine and matched wits with the king of the mountains. I couldn’t have done it without a lot of support. I had some great information, great suggestions on gear, travel, everything else. I couldn’t have asked for a better outfitter and guide. Things worked out great. I am looking forward to my next trip to Alaska to see what else this wild country offers.

 

[RCL]

Congratulations and a nice write up.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[dakotaduner]

Congratulations on a great adventure. Thanks for sharing with us.

 

[Silvereagle50]

Congrats on an awesome experience. Hope to do the same in 2021. Making preparations already.

 

[*zap*]

Awesome!

 

[gonhunting247]

Very cool, Congrats!

 

[cmbbulldog]

Beautiful pics and ram, thanks for sharing! Dream hunt.

 

[ericthered]

Great story and pictures. Glad the RokSlide played a part if this super adventure!

 

[Akwoodchuck]

Just fantastic...

 

[TX_Diver]

Great hunt and write-up. Thanks for posting!